"I can't tell you why I want to know, but do tell me, which would you prefer, blue or black?"
"Well, I prefer blue, Grandma Molly, but I'd rather have a black jumper this year." Teddy answered, watching her clear the stove with a twinkle in his eye. She pretended not to hear him, but someone else had.
"Grandma Molly, why do you make Teddy a jumper? Fred told me he's not really one of your grandchildren."
Molly's eyes widened. She glanced from Teddy to little Hugo, but the twinkle was still in his eye when Teddy met her face with his eyebrows raised. She sighed again.
"Well, dear, you know Teddy's parents died when he was a baby. He's as good as family, isn't he?"
Hugo giggled. "I know that Grandma Molly." Teddy laughed too and plucked the little boy from his seat. Hugo let out a squeal as Teddy swung him slightly.
"Let's go tell everyone the food's almost done, Squirt." Teddy started toward the door. "It is almost done, isn't it Grandma Molly?"
'Huh?" Molly seemed to shake herself out of a trance. "Oh, yes!" The two boys started towards the door. "But Teddy, wait, stay and…and check this for me."
Teddy shrugged and waved Hugo out by himself. Taking a tentative step towards the sink he dropped in a spoon Molly had just abandoned.
"Ted -- Teddy?" Molly seemed to have decided that there was ice to break. "Do you –well, feel like part of our family? It's just that I'd hate to—I don't know, offend you by saying so or –even the opposite, you know…"
Teddy had to stop himself from laughing. "Grandma Molly, I love you all. I've never known another family. You know that."
"But you do have your Grandma, do you care if we call you family? I mean, I've always considered Harry family, but he never had any of his own, none to speak of anyway, but you, dear--"
Just then, Hugo returned with a very wind-blown Victoire in tow. She grinned at Teddy, even more color rising to her cheeks. Teddy returned the grin, just as brightly.
"Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks." She giggled. "When did you get here?" she asked, giving him a hug. "Do you want to come out and join our match?"
"Oh, I've only been here a few minutes." He stammered. "I was just talking to Hugo and Grandma Molly."
The mention of her grandmother seemed to remind Victoire of something urgent. "Oh, Grandma Molly, they sent me in to help. Some rubbish about being of age and needing to pull my weight."
Suddenly concerned, but giddy, Molly immediately looked around for something—anything-- to give her granddaughter to do. "Here, dear, you can take these out and set the table." Victoire, using her wand, levitated the stack of dishes in front of her.
Molly turned towards the sink again, but, smiling to herself, she didn't miss the interlocked hands leaving the kitchen behind the dishes.
A few minutes later, Teddy came back in to find Molly placing the last minutes candles on Victoire's very pink birthday cake.
"Grandma Molly, everyone's wondering where you are. Are you coming?"
"Oh?" Molly was grinning. "Oh yes, dear, I'm coming."
Teddy walked over to where she was counting the candles one last time. He knew he should say something.
"Er, Grandma Molly, I do love you all like family," he paused, blushing. "But I'd rather not sign any adoption papers, if you know what I mean."
"Of course. I was being silly." Molly said looking up at him from the cake. She smiled at the twinkle in his eye again.